Manhunt Continues for Gunman in Deadly Brown University Shooting

Providence, RI — December 15, 2025

Authorities in Rhode Island renewed their intensive search on Monday for the suspect in a mass shooting at Brown University that left two students dead and nine others injured, after releasing a person of interest who was briefly detained but cleared of involvement.

The shooting occurred Saturday afternoon around 4:05 p.m. inside Room 166 of the Barus and Holley Building, home to the university's School of Engineering and physics department. The room was hosting a final exam review session during the fall semester's exam week. A lone gunman entered and opened fire, killing two students and wounding nine others before fleeing on foot through the Hope Street exit.

All 11 victims were Brown University students, according to university president Christina Paxson. The deceased have been identified by family and friends as 18-year-old freshman Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov from Virginia and Ella Cook from Alabama, who served as vice president of the campus College Republicans group. Tributes poured in for both, with Cook described as a "bright young star" and an "incredible light" by community members and officials.

Of the injured, conditions varied as of Sunday: seven in critical but stable condition, one in critical condition, and one discharged after treatment.

Providence police released surveillance video showing a figure dressed in dark clothing walking away from the scene, back to the camera, with the face not visible. Officials described the suspect as a male in black attire, possibly wearing a camouflage gray mask, who fled without a visible weapon in the footage. No firearm was recovered from the building.

A major manhunt involving over 400 law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal agencies—including the FBI and ATF—ensued, prompting a campus lockdown and shelter-in-place orders for surrounding neighborhoods. Initial confusion arose when university alerts and some reports prematurely indicated a suspect in custody.

On Sunday, a man in his 20s was detained at a hotel in Coventry, Rhode Island, about 20 miles from campus, after a cellphone lead. Two firearms were reportedly found in his room. However, late Sunday, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley announced the individual's release, stating investigators could not connect him to the shooting. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha emphasized proceeding carefully.

As the search entered its third day, officials urged the public to submit tips, photos, and videos via FBI.gov/BrownUniversityShooting or local police lines. Mayor Smiley noted efforts to gather additional surveillance footage, including from doorbell cameras and businesses near campus. Brown University doubled its public safety staffing and canceled all remaining fall semester classes, exams, and projects.

"No immediate threat" to the campus or community exists, authorities said, but vigilance remains high. The incident marks another tragic addition to U.S. gun violence in 2025, with at least 391 mass shootings reported nationwide this year.

The motive remains under investigation, with no suspect identified or arrested as of Monday afternoon. Law enforcement continues canvassing the area and analyzing evidence from the scene. 17GEN4.com